Combined crown and traveling block



Jan. 19, 1937. H. T. NlcHLs 2,068,638

COMBINED cRowN AND TRAVELING BLOCK- Filed Aug. 24, 1927 5 sheets-Sheet 1 H. T. NICHOLS COMBINED CROWN AND TRAVELING BLOCK y Jan. 19, 1937.

Filed Aug. 24, 1927'r 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/d l ,7

l \1NW \\\\\\\NNMMWJ\\ 9 J l f w m w l M Jan. 19, 1937.

H. T. NxcHoLs COMBINED CROWN AND TRAVELING BLOCK Filed Aug. 24, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 t L Il Jan. 19, 1937. vH. T. NICHOLS COMBINED CROWN AND TRAVELING BLOCK Filed Aug. 24, 1927 5 Sheeis-Sheet 4 il fin /50 VE 27a Jan. 19, 1937. H. T. NICHOLS COMBINED CROWN AND TRAVELING BLOCK Filed Aug. 24, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l ,m MW, fini J 5 f 7 aN/ /rw/ d c L lAf,

Patentedv Jan., l, 1937 Harry 'll. Nichols, San Antonio, Tex.

ApplicationAugust 24, 1927, Serial No, 215,059

40 Claims.

My invention relates to hoisting apparatus for derricks. t has to do, particularly, with a compound pulley hoisting apparatus especially adapted for use in connection with the drilling of wells,

; although it is not necessarily limited thereto. v

In the past the use of compound pulleys embodying xed or standing block units, and running or traveling block units, with a multiplicity of parts or plies of a hoisting line rove .to the D sheaves thereof has been subject to certain serious disadvantages, partly du'e to the manner of mounting the sheaves thereof with relation to each other and partly due to the method of reeving the hoisting line therethrough.

One of these disadvantages has been the inability to obtain a balanced arrangement eilective to ensure that the traveling block will not tilt during operation.

This tilting tendency is scarcely noticeable in a two-sheave traveling block, due to the proportionate rotational speed of the sheaves of two to one with four running parts rove and the stand.- ing part secured other than on thetackle block, and of ve to three with fiveparts rove including the standing part secured to the tackle block, inherent when the block is rove with the parts of a line in direct sequence and is operated by a pulling force applied to the fall par-t of the line.

In a three-sheave traveling block, however, when rove with the parts of a line in direct sequence from one outer sheave to an intermediate sheave and thence to the other outer sheave, and operated by a pulling force applied to the fall part of the line, this tilting tendency is distinctly operative and correspondingly disadvantageous, due to the greater divergence in the proportionate rotational speed of the outer sheaves.

This disadvantage, Which is cumulative in proportion to the number of sheaves thus rove, has, L in all apparatus comprising more than two sheaves in the traveling block and which h'as been adaptable to and hitherto utilized in well drilling practice, resulted in seriously retarding and interfering with the speed of drilling op- 5 erations.

During certain, phases of the drilling operations the traveling block is raised from a position adjacent to the iloor of the derrick to a position adjacent to the top thereof Without a load, and con- ;0 versely, during other phases of the operations it vis lowered from the' top of the derrick without a load.

It is when the traveling block is operated without a load, and particularly when it is being 55 lowered without a load, that this disadvantage is most acutely experienced, it being necessary to restrict the speed of operation in order to prevent the traveling block from excessive swaying and even from capsizing and fouling the parts of the hoisting line extending from its sheaves.

Efforts to correct this tilting tendency in the traveling blocks of apparatus hitherto utilized in drilling practice, by rst reeving the outer sheaves of the traveling block, have resulted in the crossing of the parts of the line in such a l0 manner as to set up a destructive Charing between the parts rove and in producing a ileeting angle between the rope grooves of the sheaves and the parts of the line extending therefrom destructive to both,

Another disadvantage is that in all compound pulley structures and methods of reeving heretofore utilized for the reeving of more than four running parts, the traveling block could not be made to hang in the center of the well, except 20.

when all of the compound pulley sheave members of both the crown and traveling block were fully rove, without resorting to shifting of the position of the crown block with respect to the center of the well, so as to unfairly load the derrick.

A further disadvantage has arisen from the vfact that the structures and methods previously used result in excessive side diversion of the line from the rope grooves of the majority or all of the compound pulley sheaves.

Another disadvantage has arisen from the fact that the structures and methods of reeving previously utilized have, of necessity, limited the diameter of some of the compound pulley sheaves, either in the crown block or traveling block or in both, and thereby caused excessive bending stresses in the hoisting line, which are particularly productive of excessive wear and tear upon the wire rope which is ordinarily usedfor this line. A 40 Other disadvantages have been present in prior art structures, as will appear as this description progresses.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus embodying a compound pulley of such structure and so rove that a maxiy mum balanced eiect will be produced, so that. tilting of the traveling block will be reduced to a minimum, and so that the said tilting tendency in a traveling block having three or more sheaves, when operated by a pulling force applied to one end of a single line, is not substantially greater than the tilting tendency inherent in a twosheave traveling block when sooperated, irrespective of the number of sheaves, in excess of been utilized in industries other than oil well drilling in which the traveling block was effecv tively balanced, and in which the fleeting angle of the parts of the iiexible element rove, such as fiber ropes, chains, and wire hoisting cables, with respect to the sheaves from which they extend was effectively eliminated, and undue wear'and tear on the element rove was absent, all such apparatus hitherto utilized lacked the requisite combination of factors in their structure and method of reeving which would permit them to be adapted to, and incorporated into, well drilling practice, as developed during the ievolution thereof to its present status. A

For instance, apparatus and methods of reeving heretofore utilized, in which the factor of fleeting angle was not harmfully prevalent and in which the traveling block was effectively balanced, contemplated and provided means only adaptable to be fully rove.

This is very undesirable in hoisting apparatus for use in well drilling, since, at the outset of the drilling operations, the load to be hoisted is relatively light, and speed of operation of the apparatus by reeving a minimum number of parts of the line between the crown block and the traveling block is the objective sought.

Another object of my invention is'to provide a structure and method of' reeving whereby a minimumof four running parts of theline may be rove and the apparatus operated with the traveling block effectively balanced and with all of the parts then rovev extending from the sheaves in substantial parallelism with the grooves thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure and method of reeving in which it is feasible and convenient to progressively reeve the apparatus as required in the progress of the drilling operation by adding other parts to the minimum of the parts which serve to initially reeve and balance the traveling block.

Still another objection to all previously known and utilized structures and methods of reeving in hoisting apparatus, in which the traveling block operated in an eiectively balanced condition and in which the ilexible element rove between the fixed block and the traveling block extended from the sheaves in substantially parallel relation with respect to the grooves thereof, and a. serious objection, is that the flexible element was either endless and, therefore, inadaptable to well drilling practice, or the ends could not be fair led off from over sheaves in the fixed block (equivalent to the crown block) to winding drum means and to anchorage means as disposed in the various conditions existent in well drilling outfits.

These anchor means are sometimes disposed on the traveling block, sometimes on another wind-'- ing drum, and sometimes consist of a base sill of the derrick structure or means attached thereto.

An object of my invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus of such structure and so rove that, when utilized in combination with thel conventional well derrick and with the combinations of Winding drums and anchorages utilized therein, whether it be rove with a minimum of four run'- ning parts of the hoisting line, or rove with an intermediate number of parts ofI the line of more than four and less than the capacity of the compound pulley sheaves of the blocks, or fully rove, the ends of the hoisting line may always be fair led off from over sheaves in the crown block to A`parallel to the grooves of the sheaves from which they extend.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus embodying a compound pulley of such structure and so rove. that excessive side diversion on the sheave members thereof will be substantially eliminated and that all excessive bending stresses in the line will be eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide aj hoisting apparatus of such structure and so rove that it willbe feasible to have all of the compound pulley sheave members 'of large diameter in both the crown block and traveling block, while at the same time providing means whereby a traveling block having more than two sheaves may be balanced and centered under all conditions of operation and regardless of the number of `plies rove, which has hitherto been impossible in the art.

Other objects of this invention will appear as this description progresses.

In order to clarify and qualify the meaning of some of the terms employed, which are believed to be peculiar to well drilling practice, it is desired to here dene the sense of dead line and running part as applied herein to the compound pulley hoisting line.

In the original American standard cabledrilling rig, after the introduction of sheaves in the crown block thereof intended especially as compound pulley sheaves, commonly known in well practice as the casing sheaves, the standing part of the compound pulley hoisting line was usually and generally led oif from over a compound pulley sheave in the crown block and secured to the traveling'block, and the end of the part so secured was known as the dead.end.

i When soA secured, the standing part passes through the groove of but one rotating sheave, i. e. through the groove of and over a sheave in the compound pulley sheave assembly in the crownblock; however, all line parts move in either an up or down direction.

standard cable-drilling-hydr'aulic rotary-drillingy rig, the respective ends of the single hoisting line employed in the operation of compound pulleys as utilized in well practice were each secured to individual winding drums, so that one of said drums could vpreferably be used during the operthe other drum, in an emergency, could be employedfparticularly, to prevent the loss of the drill stem of the rotary-drilling rig by sticking or freezing". in the well during an enforced period of vertical immobility.

Under the last two specifically cited practices' in well drilling a novel condition is produced:

The line part which extends off from over a .ation of the hydraulic rotary-drilling rig, while sheave in the crown block and is the farthest lengthened from under a traveling block sheave,v

` and is, therefore, throughout its extension bel tween the crown and traveling block, stationary.

This line part is, for this reason, in well practice called the dead line, and is in reality an extension of the standing part. l

The terms parts and plies are used synonymously herein throughout.

The term multiple ply tackle as occurring hereinafter shall be understood to be synonymous with compound pulley, while the term multiple ply used adjectively shall be taken to mean the same as compound'pulley used in the same sense.

The preferred embodiment of my invention contemplates the reeving of a single hoisting line through the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and the traveling block by such a method that the traveling block may be suspended in a cradle formed by two loops of the line which are opposite each other, the component parts of which extend from. the outer sheaves Of the traveling block.

In other words, the traveling block is', in effect, suspended from the four corners of the assembly of compound pulley, or multiple ply t-ackle, sheave assembly of the crown block.

Furthermore, my method of reeving the line through the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and the traveling block is such that these cradle loops are formed by four running parts of the hoisting line rove in direct sequence from an end thereof, which are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sheaves I vfrom which they extend.

^ The r'e'sult'of this is that,'whenever during the progress of the drilling operation it becomes:

' these additional plies will be rove to the intermediate sheaves of the traveling block and will, in nowise, interfere; with either the balanced effect, or the centered position of the traveling block originally created by my described method of reeving four running parts of the hoisting line from an end thereof to produce the said loops.

The multiple ply hoisting tackle which I utilize in the preferred application of my method comprises a crown block with a plurality of multiple ply hoisting sheave members therein and a traveling block suspended therebeneath by a single hoisting line rove a multiplicity of plies therebetween.

Preferably, the crown "block comprises at least two multiple sheave hoisting members, one at one side of the crown block and the other at the opposite side thereof, in combination with one or more cross-wise multiple ply hoisting sheave members, with-the axis thereof disposed at an'angle to the axes of the two sheaves and between substantially vertical planes coincident with the opposing side of the said two sheave members.

and centered as indicated above but the multiple ply hoisting sheave members of the crown block and of the traveling block are so disposed with relation to each other that the various plies of the hoisting line are in substantial parallelism with the sheave grooves from which they extend and these plies are maintained in a substantially perpendicular relation to the axes of their sheaves.

This results in a hoisting tackle wherein the traveling block `is balanced and centered under all conditions of operation while the fleeting angle of the parts of the line with respect to any sheaves from which they extend is such as to entirely obviate excessive side diversion and to consequently reduce wear upon the sheaves and line to a minimum.

More specifically, my invention preferably comprises a crown block having at least two multiple ply hoisting sheave members, one at one side of the crown block with one of its plane faces-in lateral opposition thereto and the other at the opposite side thereof, and with one of its plane faces in lateral opposition thereto with the axes of these sheave members in alignment and with one or more cross-wise multiple ply hoisting sheave members at an angle thereto.

The cross-wise sheave member or members may have the axis or axes thereof either above or below the axes of the other sheave members, with the cross-wise multiple ply hoisting sheave member or members disposed between vertical planes which are substantially parallel to the vertical planes in which the said rst two sheave members lie. Likewise, the cross-wise sheave member or members should be located with their plane faces in lateral opposition to the other opposing sides of the crown block.

My invention is particularly important in connection with a multiple ply rope hoisting tackle wherein a single rope is rove with more than four plies. Therefore, my apparatus preferably comprises additional sheave members disposed intermediate the vertical planes in which the two rst said sheaves of the crown block lie, one at one side of the crown block andthe other at the other side thereof.

In conjunction with this structure of crown block, I preferably use a traveling block having more than two sheaves suitably mounted to form a symmetrical structure and having pin means to support a becket on the lower end thereof.

The position of the traveling block is preferably cross-wise with respect to the first above-mentioned two sheaves at opposite sides of the crown block.

With such a combination, whenever it becomes necessary to reeve more plies through the sheaves of the tackle, they may be rove through the intermediate hoisting sheave members of the traveling block.

From this description, it will be seen rthat I have provided a multiple ply hoisting tackle for a derrick and a method of reeving the same which has many important advantages. Some of these advantages have already been pointed out. For instance, one of these important advantages lis the production of a multiple ply rope hoisting tackle wherein the traveling block will be properly centered and balanced by reeving the outer sheaves of the traveling block with four plies of the line rove` in direct sequence from one of its ends, while as many more plies as desired may be rove through the sheaves of the tackle without destroying or disarranging this centered and balanced condition of the traveling block.

Another important advantage arises from the fact that excessive side diversion is eliminated by my invention while, at the same time, it is possible to use multiple rope hoisting sheave members in the crown block which are much larger than hitherto possible and, in fact, may extend substantially across the opening in the watertable. This greatly reducesr the wear upon the rope and otherwise prolongs the life thereof. It likewise decreases bearing troubles by reducing the speed of the sheave members.

Another important advantage of'my invention arises from the fact that I am able to lead the endsof my hoisting rope to diierent sides of the derrick, which is particularly necessary in combination rigs, this being accomplished by. the use of lone or more crosswise sheave members in the crown block which are also an important element in the reeving of the rope throughy the sheave members of the crown block in such a manner as to produce a centered and balanced traveling block and freedom from excessive side diversion.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a combination crownA block and traveling block structure embodying the features of the present invention showing it applied to a-typical steel derrick top and looking at it from the ladder side of the derrick, the ladder being omitted;

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 1 looking at it from the beam side of the derrick; l

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of my novel traveling block structure;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section taken on substantially the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken on substantially the line V-V of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale and illustrating the mounting for the cross-over sheaves;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the structure as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an elevation partly in section similar to Figure 1 of a modification of the present invention mounted on a typical wooden derrick top;

Figure 8 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 7 partly in section;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail view partly in section taken on the line-X-X of- Figure 1 looking downwardly;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relation of the sheaves in the traveling block to each other and their position relative to the nger connected to the fourble board of the derrick:v Y

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangementof the lines or plies in my novel structure when a four line stringup is being used;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the lines or laps in my structure when a six line stringup is being employed;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the lines when an eight line stringup is being employed, and

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the lines or plies when a ten stringup is being used.

In the drawings:

Like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In Figure 1, designates generally the upper part of a typical steel oil well derrick top which may be of any conventional construction. This derrick top includes a pair of water table beams or bumpers 21-21 mounted on the water table 2| When built according to standardized practice the net clearance between the inner edges of these water table beams 21-21 amounts to 5' and 6". The derrick also has'mounted on an intermediate portion thereof, as is well known in the drilling art, a fourbleboard and a finger for use in connection with the stacking of pipe stands. In Figure 11, I have illustrated'diagrammatically the position of the finger relative to the center of the derrick, as will be more fully explained hereinafter in connection with a description of that figure. The finger is designated generally by the reference character 23. Inas much as the fourble board -and nger do not per se constitute a part of the present invention, and since they are well known in the art, it is thought that no further` description of-the same need be made@ I Mounted upon the top of the water table beams 2'i-2l which constitute the horizontal head of the derrick is a. crown block designated generally by the reference character 24 embodying the features of the present invention. Suspended from this block by means of a rope or wire line 25 is a traveling block designated generally by the reference character 26. The line 25 extends through the opening 22 (Fig. '6) in the water table and the traveling block 26 is positioned below the top of the derrick, as shown in Figure 1.

Crown block derrick. Alsoy supported upon these water table beams 21-21 are a pair of spaced I-beams 29-29 disposed parallel to the beams 28--28. The two beams 28, as best shown in Figure 6, have rotatably mounted upon them a pair of spaced pulleys Bil-3| which are disposed between the beams 28-28. 'I'hese two pulleys or sheaves 30 and 3| and their supporting beams 28-28 constitute the lower section of the block and properly speaking, the lower sheave means of the block as well. The

sheave 30 is the cable-drilling line sheave of the.

standard cable-drilling rig and the sheave 3l is the sand sheave of the standard rig. These two sheaves do not perse constitute part of the present invention andare illustrated in order to show that provision is made in my novel crown block for them independently of the supporting means of the multiple ply rope tackle sheaves. The two beams 28-28 extend out a slight ways from the walking beam side of the derrick, as indicated at 32 in Figures 1 and 6. The ends of these two beams 28-28 which extend beyond the water table beam 21 on the walking beam side of the derrick are connected by a spacer 33. The sand line of the standard cable-drilling rig extends upward from the sand reel of that rig which is disposed outside of the derrick, through the space delimited by the inner sides. of the beams 28-28, the inner side of the spacer 33 and the outer, upper edge of thewater table beam 21, onto, through the groove of, and over the sand sheave 3 I- and thence downwardly to the well bore,

at or adjacent to the central vertical axis of the derrick, as is well known in the art.

The I-beams 29-29 rotatably carry a grooved idler pulley 34, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter. This idler is disposed on the ladder side of the derrick. Attention is directed to Figure 6 of the drawings wherein the left side thereof is the ladder side of the derrick, and the right side thereof is the forge side of the derrick and is the side on which the rotary draw works of a California combination standard cable-drilling-hydraulic-rotary drilling rig is disposed. The walking beam side of the derrick is the lower one shown yin Figure 6, namely, the side to which the sand sheave 3i is adjacent. The otheriside of the derrick, at the top of Figure 6, to which the standard cable-drillingcrown, or drilling line, sheave is adjacent, is the bull wheel side. The names by which the corners of the derrick are known are as follows: by the intersection of the beam and ladder sides of the derrick is `called the calf wheel corner; the corner at the intersection of the ladder and bull wheel sides of the derrick is the tug wheel corner; the corner formed by the bull wheel and forge side of the derrick is the brake wheel corner; While the corner at the intersection of the forge and walking beam sides of the derrick is the crane postcorner. These names of the respective sides and corners of well derricks are universally known and used wherever cable-drilling and combination cable-rotary rigs are used.

Mounted upon the two water table beams 21-21 are four struts 35 which are connected and spaced from each other by pairs of horizontally disposed members, one pair of which consists of the channel members 35--36 disposed adjacent the bottom ends of the struts 35 and in parallelism with the beams 28-28, as best seen in Figure 2, While the other pair consists of the angle iron members 36a-36a disposed adjacent the top ends of the struts 35 and at right angles to the beams 28-28, as best seen in Figure l. Supported by these struts 35 are a pair of transverse I-beams 31-31 which are disposed at right angles to the water table beams 21--21 (Figures 1 and 2). These I-beams 31 may be rigidly secured to the struts 35 in order to provide a rigid crown block. .Each of these beams has mounted upon and secured to it a pair of slanting H-beams 38 which converge at theirv top ends, as indicated at 39 (Figure l), where they are rigidly fa'stened together to provide a support for sheaves of the multiple-part rope tackle which will be described hereinafter. Each pair of H-beams 38 in reality comprises a standard for supporting sheaves. It will, of course, be understood that the set of H- beams 38 on one beam 31 is disposed parallel to the set of H-beams 38 on the other beam 31.

Extending transversely of the two I-beams 31 and mounted thereon are a pair of spaced I-beams 40 and 4 I 'Ihese two beams are disposed at right angles to the two beams 31. It will be noted from Figures l and 6 that the I-beam 4l is slightly wider than the beam 4D. These two beams rotatably carry a sheave 42 disposed between them and positioned at right angles to thetwo standard sheaves 30 and 3|. Secured to the I-beam 4l and extendlng upwardly therefrom are a pair of spaced vertical Ill-beams 43--43 which are positioned in the space between the standards 3il--38.` 'I'hese two H-beams are inter-connected and reinforced by means of diagonal angle irons `44 (Figure 2). Each beam 43 is also reinforced by a diagonal plate 44' secured to the beam 4I.

The corner formedv Mounted upon the top of one of the H-beams 43 and upon the top of the associated standard 38, as best shown in Figure 6, isI a shaft 45 which is secured to the top of the associated standard 38 and the beam 43 by means of clamps 46 and 41, respectively. Rotatably mounted upon this shaft 45 are a pair of spaced parallel sheaves 48 and 49 between the standard 38 on the ladder side of the derrick and the associated H-beam 43.

Similarly positioned on the draw works or forge side of the derrick is a shaft 58 which is carried on top of the other standard 38` and the top of the other H-beam 43. This shaft 50 is secured to the associated standard by means of a clamp 5I and to the associated H-beam by means of a clamp 52. Rotatably mounted upon thisl shaft 50 are a pair of spaced parallel sheaves 53 and 54 disposed between the associated standard 38 and the associated H-beam 43: It will be noted that the two sheaves 48 and 53 are each of the same diameter and'are larger in diameter than the sheaves 49 and 54. Also each of the sheaves 49 and 54 has the same diameter. These four sheaves are disposed paralle1 to the standard rig sheaves 30 and 3l (Figure 6). l

In Figure 6 it will be observed that the shafts 45 and-50 are disposed in axial alignment. The inner ends of these two shafts are connected to couplings 55 and 56 which couple the shafts to a reinforcing tube 51 disposed centrally of the top of the crown block. As best shown in Figure l, each shaft 45-50 has each of its ends flattened as indicated at 58. 'Ihese flattened portions 58 of the shafts cooperate with the tops of the standards and the tops of the H-beams 43 to prevent rotation of these `shafts. Attention is directed to the fact that one set of parallel sheaves 48--49 is disposed parallel to the ladder side of the derrick and the other set of sheaves 53-54 is disposed parallel vto the draw works or forge side of the derrick. These four sheaves are disposed at right angles to the sheave L32.

In Figures 5, 6 it will be observed that a pair of spaced parallel I-beams 59 and 60 are also mounted upon the spaced beams 31-31. These two beams 59 and 60 .are normally mounted at an angle to the two transverse beams 4i and 42. Disposed between the two beams 59 and 60 and rotatably carried thereby is a sheave 6l disposed parallel to the beams 594, and 6|). This sheave 6| is disposed at an angle to the sheave 42.A It will be observed from Figures 2 and 6 that the two sheaves 6I and 42 are disposed below the parallel sheaves 48-49 and 54-53. By positioning them. below .these parallel sheaves, I am enabled to make these two sheaves 42 and 6I of a much greater size than would be possible if they were positioned directly between the parallel sheaves. Also attention is directed to the fact that these two sheaves 6| and 42 extendsubstantially clear across the top of the water table from the ladder side `of the derrick to the draw works or forge side of the derrick. l l

One of the beams 31 has secured to it. a plate 62 upon which thebeams 59 and 60 are mounted vat one end. Similarly the other beam 31 has secured to its top flange a plate 63 foruse in the mounting of the two beams 59 and 60. The plate B3 has a thickness substantially that of the lower ange on the I-beam 4I. A diagonal plate 64 has one end secured to the top -of the plate these beams'59 and 68 are each of less height than the I-beams 48 and 4|, as best shown in Figures 1 and 5, whereby the beam 68 extends into the space separating the adjacent lateral flanges of the I-beam 4|. the major part of the weight of one end of the beam 68 is disposed upon the beam 4| and the major part of the weight of one end of the other beam 59 is disposed upon the plate 63 secured to the top of one of the beams 31.

It will, of course, be understood that the plate 62 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the two plates 63 and .64 taken together. 'I'his arrangement permits disposition of the two beams 59 and 68 in a straight horizontal position rela-v tive to the beams 31. In practice, the two beams 59 and 68'are adjustably secured to the beams 31-31 so as to permit variation of the angle between the sheave 6| and the sheave 42. In other words, the sheave 6| is adjustable to and from the sheave 42. The adjustment is accomplished by removing the bolts which secure the beams 59 and to the beams 91-31 and by thereafter sliding the two beams on the beams 31--31 into the desired position. .After the sheave 6| has been properly placed, the two beams 59 and 60 are again rigidly secured to the beams 31 by means of the bolts.

Traveling block The traveling block 26 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed sheave housings 65-66. The lower end of the housing 65- has rigidly secured to it a pivot or hinge portion 61 and the lower -end-of the housing 66 has rigidly secured to it a similar pivot or hinge portion 68 (Figure 4). Each of these similar pivot on hinge portions extends downwardly between spaced pivot plates 69-69 formed integral with block 10. These `two hinge portions 61 and l68 are pivotally mount- A15 adapted to receive sheaves. These containers may be rigidly fastened to the housing, if it is so desired. Also it willbe noted that the sides of these containers serve as guards for the sheaves therein, as best shown in Figure 3. Disposed in the container 14 of the housing 65 are a pair of .spaced parallel sheaves 16 and 11, and disposed in the 'container 15 of the housing 66 are a pair of spaced parallel sheaves 18 and 19. The sheaves 16 and 18 are of the same diameter and the it will be 'noted that the-sheaves 16, 11, 19 andl sheaves 11 and 19 which are slightly smaller in diameter than the sheaves 16 and 18 are also of the same diameter. 1 I purposely make the sheaves 11 and 19 smaller in diameter than the other two sheaves so as to obviate side diversion ofthe wire line 25. The sheaves 18 and 19 are mounted upon a shaft 8| which extends through the sides of the container 15 and is mounted in the sides of the housing 166. The two sheaves 16 and 11 are mounted upon a. shaft 80 mounted at its ends in the sides of the housing 65. Attention is at this time directed to Figure 1 1 wherein .18 are positioned betweenthe ilnger of the der- 'rick and the beam side of the derrick4 and are `disposed substantially parallel to the beamside This arrangement is` such that y of the derrick. By having the axes of these sheaves at right angles to the length of the nger, it is possible to use relatively large sheaves without in any way reducing the size of the storage vspace provided for the stands of pipe in the derrick.

housings 65 and 66 merely comprises a pair of upwardly extending legs between which is disposed the container of the sheaves. The upper edges of each of the containers 15 and 16 `have rigidly fastened to them guards 82, which guards are disposed between the lines leaving the sheaves. Y

Positioned between the two sheave housings end bifurcated to form a slot (Figures 3 and 4). The legs 86 deiining the slot 85 in the mem- It will loe-noted from Figure 2 that each of the 65 and 66 is a vertical member 84 having its lower ber 8 4 have their lowermost extremities mounted upon the pin 13. It will be noted from Figure 4 that the inner edges of the two legs 86 embrace the plates 69-69 and the outer sides of the block 10. The upper end of the member 84 is enlarged and providedwith an angular portion 81 having rigidly fastened to it a. pair -of oppositely disposed angle irons 88. These angle irons support a U-shaped bracket 98 between the legs of which is disposed a sheave housing 9| into which the lower half of a sheave 92 extends. 'Ihat is to say, the housing 9| only covers the lower half of the sheave 92. The sheave 92 is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the sheaves in the housings 65 and 66. This sheave is mounted upon a pin 93 which extends through the walls of the housing 9| andis mounted in the legs of the U-shaped bracket 98.

I shall now proceed to describe the hinge connections between the central-member 84 and the housings 65 and 66, which connections permit of the housings pivoting outwardly in'opposite directions. Disposed on opposite, sides of the member 84 are a pair oi plates 95-95 rigidly connected together by means of a ller block 96 extending into the slot 85 of the member 84. These plates are adapted to slide up and down the vertical member 84. Securedto each plate is a hinge member 91 including a pin 98. Mounted upon the ends of each pin 98 are a, pair of downwardly extending plates 99 which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to one of the sheave housings by means of a hinge |08. It will be noted that there are two plates 99 connected to each housing 65-66. 'I'hese plates 99 permit hinging movement of the housings 65 and 66 with respect to the central member 84. .In general, the function ot the plates 95 and the ller block 96 is to gfuide the lateral movement of the sheave housings. Also the plates v99 serve as' a means for limiting the outward movement of the sheave housings. The plates 99--99 also serve to maintain the member 84 in a central position so as to prevent swaying of the sheave 92. Moreover, these plates 99 counteract each other and vresult in a highly balanced traveling` block. In other words, the swaying of one sheave housing is counteracted by the other' housing..

thus preventing the wire lines from riding over the rims of the sheaves 'carried in these housings.

Operation andl stringup 1 such a manner that the traveling block is balanced vvertical 'axis substantially coincident with the central vertical axis .of the compound pulley standing block sheave assembly, irrespective of the number of running parts rove and utilized.

This is an outstanding result from my invention since it ,permits the initial well drilling operation to be started with a minimum of four line parts rove between the crown and traveling block in and centered permanently and that the centerof the well bore thus started will always'be substantially co-incident with the central vertical axis of the traveling block when the latter is hanging free and unloaded with additional line parts rove.

. Thus, it will be seen that my present arrangement is in this respect a decided improvement over the prior art, in which it is diiiicult if not impossible 4to operatively reeve a minimum of four line parts between the crown and traveling block so that a well bore started with such a reeving will be under the central vertical axis of the traveling block when that block with additional line parts rove is y hanging free and unloaded. Obviously the fewer the number of lines between the crown block and traveling block, the greaterwill be the speed of the hoisting operation. The fewer the number of lines, the less will be the total wireline wear. By

lines is meant the number of parts of the single line 25 connecting the crown block 24 to the traveling block 26.

In Figure 12,*as well as in Figures 13, 14 and 15, I have illustrated diagrammatically the arrangement of the sheaves in the crown block relative to the sheaves in the traveling block, as well as the arrangement of all the sheaves relative to the sides of the derrick. In Figure 15 I have applied the names of the several corners and sides of the derrickv so as to render apparent the arrangement of the sheaves and tangential points thereof relative to these sides and corners, sol as to simplify the explanation of my invention.'x It will be noted that the other three figures 12, 13 and 14 conshown) and the other end |02 of this line is conl nected-to the draw .works (not shown). Also it is obvious that the linein passing over each sheave has two points of tangency with that sheave, namely, the point where it enters the groove in the sheave and the point where it leaves the groove in the sheave. In Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 I have designated these tangency points by letters of the alphabet. These points on sheaves 48, 49, 54 andv 53 are designated by a-b, o;-p, s-t and e-f, respectively. These .points on sheaves 16, 11, 19 and 18 are designated by IL-y, 11-u, q-r and cl-d. respectively. Furthermore, these points on sheaves 6|, 42 and 92 are designated by z'-:i, m-n and l--Ic, respectively;

In the four line stringup illustrated-diagrammatically in Figure 12, the end of hoisting line 25 extends upwardly in-the calf wheel corner to point a on outer sheave 48 on the ladder' side of the derrick. From point a the line extends over the sheave to point b which is adjacent the tug wheel corner, and down to point c on outer sheave 1B of the traveling block 2,6 disposed on the bull wheel unaerthe, sheave 1s, up to point d 'winch is adiacent the brake wheel corner, of the derrick. From 4point Ad 4the line extends upwardly to point e on outer crown block sheave 53 disposed on the 'draw works side of the derrick. After leaving point e the line travels overthe top of sheave 53 to point f which is adjacent the crane post corner, and

calf wheel corner of the derrick. The line is led from point h upwardly through the groove of idler 34 to point i on cross-over sheave 6| and over the top of this sheave to point 7' disposed on the draw works side of the derrick. Theidler 34 always operates on the fourth part of the line rove from an end. -It serves to cause the fourth line of the stringup to be disposed symmetrical withrespect to the other three'lines in the region of the traveling block s0 as to enable the traveling block to be maintained over the center of the well. From point j the line end 92 extends downwardly to the 'draw works drum. At this time I wish to direct attention that in the stringups shown in Figures 12 and 14, and in Figs. 13 and 15, the sheave 6| has different angular positions. This is possible due to the adjustable mounting for the sheave 6| reeving, it' will be evident that four pliesv or line parts rove'between the crown and traveling block constitute a minimum, operativey reeving.

In the six line stringup illustrated diagram- I matically in Figure 13, the hoisting line is strung exactly the same as in Figure 12 up to point 1i. From point y' the line is extended downwardly on the draw works-side of the derrick to point k on the intermediate sheave 92 of the traveling block. The line is then passed under the sheave 92 to point Z and from point l it is extended upwardly on theladder side of the derrick to point m on crown block cross-over sheave 42. After passing over the sheave 42, the line leaves the sheave at point n and has its end |02 connected to the draw works drum.

In Figure 14 I have illustrated diagrammatically an4 eight line stringup. Up to point h, this stringup is`exactly the same as that described in connection with Figure 12. After leaving point h the line passes upwardly through the groove of the idler 34 to point o on the intermediate crownv block sheave '49. From point o the lin'e extends' over sheave 49 to point p and down to point q on the intermediate traveling block sheave 19. The line is led from point q under the sheave 19 to point r and from point r up to point s of intermediate crown block sheave 54. From point s the hoisting line extends up over sheave 54 to point t and downwardly to' point u of the intermediate traveling block sheave 11. 'After passing under this sheave 11, it leaves the sheave at point o and extends upwardly to point i on cross-over sheave 6|. Thereafter the cable is passed over the top of sheave 6| to point j and thence downwardly tothe draw works drum.

The ten line stringup illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 15 is exactly .the same as' the stringup shown in Figure 1'4 up to' point i. From point 7 the hoisting line is led downwardly to point k of the intermediate sheave 92 of the traveling block. 'The line is then4 passed =under the sheave 92 to :point Land from point l on the ladder side of the den-ick upwardly to point vm-,ofl cross-over sheave :42' inthe crownblock."A y

' block are led -direc'tly'to the Vtwo -hoisting drur'n'sl von the-adjacent-sides of 'the' derrick; In'vorder ...to point In and Vfrolnl-point 1ithe1 line extends? down v.to the draw"v works drum.'

to permit the calf Wheel end fof; the line 'Illl to be led directly tov the calf wheel, I have providedl one of the water table beams 27| .(Figure 10) with a slotted portion |05 through A.which the wire end IGI extends. This permits thev end I 0| to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the beam side of the derrick. I

In my no'vel crown block it will be observed thatit is designed so as to facilitate the installation and removal of the standard ring sheaves and so that these sheaves and their supporting f means may be removed and the supporting means .of the multiple'part rope tackle sheaves left intact and the sheaves of those sets operative with- 'out the removal of any interconnecting parts.

And, the multiple part ,rope tackle sheaves .and their supporting structure, including the grooved .-i'dler pulley 34 and its supporting beams 28-29,

.may likewise be removed andthe lower sheave tending downwardly from lthe sheaves in the lcrown block areso disposed that they will not bind on the edges of the water table4 beams dening the 5 6" opening between them. That is to say, the design of the crown block is such that it can be used in conjunction with a standardv opening of 5, 6" between the water table beams. v

The relatively large sheaves in the crown block are so arranged that the entire external surface of the hoisting line contacts with thel peripheries of the sheaves during operation so that the wear 1 will be proportionately distributed over the entire surface of the line.l y

.By disposing some sheaves in the crown block at right angles to those in the traveling' block, I find that I am enabled to get. a symmetrical rope arrangement which is highly desirable in that it minimizes the Wear and tear upon the line and enables side diversion to be lobviated. It is to be understood that in all cases ,the parts of the hoisting line are disposed parallel to the grooves of the associated sheaves from which they extend. 'Ihis is true irrespective of the number oflines or plies ein` Due to this structure, any'sheave so mounted is ployed. For example, in Figure 2 it will. be observed that the lines leaving the sheaves in the crown block are disposed parallel .to the grooves in the sheaves. In the lower- "part of Figure 1 it will be observed lthat the lines extending from the sheaves in the traveling block are disposed parallel to the grooves of the associated sheaves. This desirable result 'is due to the pivotalv mountings provided for the sheaves.

' adapted-to automatically adjust itself to `the direction of lthe line'parts extending therefromk so-that the side edgesof the groove y"thereof grab. one of the lines adjacent the nger.y

will bei` disposed parallel `to the" lines.`v Obvio'usly""by"having eachf line-lparalleltol the-groove :-v of the sheave through s whichl itlpasses, side-'diversion ofthe-line isf' necessarily' :eliminated fand, hence, the fwearfand 'tearon both 'the .rope and l* the ynmof the sheave yisminnnized.f From'mgure 12 it-will, ofcourse, be evident that thelines orplies`.of.fthe single'line 25" are disposed ait-- rightfan'gles to the-common 'i axis of the two shafts and 5|).l Similarly the lines leaving the casing 15 of the traveling block 26 are disposed Alsothe llines emanating from the casing 14 are disposed at right angles to the axis of the pin or shaft 80.

By arranging one or more of the sheaves of the crown 'block at substantially right angles to a vertical grooved face of the traveling block the sheaves in the traveling block and one or.more,

'of the constructionl shown in Figure 2 are balanced against the plies of rope on the other side of the construction and as a result the wear and tear upon thesheaves and their bearings is greatv ly reduced. At this timeI wish to direct attention to the fact that the distance betweenl the vertexes of the grooves 'of the large pair of-outer sheaves 48 and 53 of the crown blockis equal to the groove diameter, i. e.- the distance from the vertex of the groove on one side of the sheave to the vertex of the4 groove on the' other side of the sheave, of each of the large outer sheaves 16 and 18 in the traveling block. Similarly the distance between the vertexes of the grooves of the smaller or inner sheaves49 and 54 of the traveling block 24 is equal to the inner' diameter of the inner s heaves 'I1 and 'I9 of the traveling block 26. This permits the 1parts or plies of the single vline 25' to be disposed inv parallel relationship, as shown ,in Figure 2.'

Also in my construction, due to the arrangement ofthe sheaves relative ,to each other, .the line 25 is rst bent in' one direction and then in a direction at right angles thereto instead of'in a reverse direction relative to the first mentioned direction of bending, as has'been the practice heretofore, thus giving a more even distribution of the bending stresses imposed on the structure of the hoisting line. Half of the bends in the lines of my' construction is' disposed in one direction and the other half of tho bends is disposed in a direction at right angles tothe 'same.` By providing a balanced traveling block, the' tendency of the traveling block to'tip sidewise, due to the arrangement of the fast lines on the intermediate sheaves of the traveling block and the slower lines on the outer sheaves of the traveling block, when the .atfright angles vto the axis of shaft orpin 8l.

pulling of the4 line is being accomplished; by vthe rotary draw worksdrum, is greatly reduced. Another advantage of the balanced traveling block is that undesirable swayingk of the block, whichl would cause'it tostrike the finger as theblock is moved up randdown, is eliminated.` Of course, it must be understood that when the rotary draw works is being used to operate the traveling block,

- the dead line and the'slowest moving line will ber positioned adjacent the nger 23, which is desirable since it protects the derrick man on the fourble board in the eventthat he should accidentally j ladder side of the derrick is an idler |34 which is Modied form of invention In Figures 7, 8 and 9 I have illustrated a modication'of my invention which is not. quite as desirable as the preferred form inasmuch as .the cross-over sheaves in thecrown block are positioned above and between the other sheaves in the crown block and as a result cannot be made as large as the cross-over sheaves in the preferred form of the device. The derrick |20 is of a conventional wooden type and includes a top or water table |2| having an opening |22 and wooden table beams |30-|30. This derrick employs the conventional type of finger and fourble board (not shown) such as are well known in the derrick art. Mounted upon this derricl:v is a crown block |24 and a traveling block 26. Inasmuch as the traveling block 26 is identical in construction to the traveling block previously described in connection with Figures 3 and 4, no

further description of this block is thought necessary. However,

it is to be noted that the same reference characters have been applied to thev parts comprising the block as wer'e used in'connection with the description of the block shown in Figure 3. I shall` now proceed to describe in detail the modified form of crown block |24 used in this modification of the invention.

Modified form of crown block Mounted upon each of the water table beams l|30|30 is a pair of fabricated sill or base structures |3|, which structures are disposedparallel to each other. "Positioned transversely of these structures '|3|- |3| and rigidly securedthereto are four transverse parallel I-beams |32 which support the multiple part rope sheaves which will be described hereinafter. Positioned adjacent the rotatably carried by a shaft |35' connected to the underside of two of the transverse I-beams |32 (Figures 'l and 9). Each of the'structures. |3|

is provided with a slot |33. Mounted in these slots |33 area pair of spaced parallel I-beams |34. These beams are suitably anchored to the structures |3|. It will be noted'from Figure 9 ,that these two beams are positioned between the I vertical planes in which the innermost pair of I-beams |32 lie. These beams support the two standard sheaves |35 and |36 which are rotatably mounted between the two beams, and are secured to the base structure of the crown block |3|-|3|, as is evident, independentlyof the supporting means for the transversely disposed upper sheave means |42, and |6 and of the supporting meansl of the sheaves |48|49 and |53- |54 which are disposed in parallelism with them. The sheave |35 is the drilling line sheave of the'standard rig and the sheave |36 is lthe' sand line sheave 'of the standard rig, and this beam and sheave assembly is adapted to be detached, at will, as a unit from the fabricated beams |3|-|3| which comprise the base Istructure of the crown block so as to leave the multiple part tackle sheaves of the' crown block, including the grooved idler pulley, intact and operative. At one side of the derrick the two beams |34 project outwardly and are connected by means of a spacer |31.v The sand a line is led up to the sand sheave |36 between the spacer |31, the inner edgesof the beams |3'4-| 34 and the upper outer edge of the fabricated struc.-

ture |3| onto the sand sheave |36, oversame and Y thence Adown to the well bore.

` l'totatably mounted u'pon the tops ofthe beams `|32 are two pairs of parallel sheaves |48, |49,

|54 and |53. The sheaves |48 and |53 are of the same diameter but are larger in diameter than the two sheaves |54 and |49 which latter sheaves are also of the same diameter. These sheaves are connected by a cable line |25 to. the corresponding sheaves in the traveling block 26'. Inasmuch as the stringups employed in the present modification are-substantially identical to those employed in the preferred form of my invention, I shall not describev the stringups any further. Secured to the tops of two ofthe transverse beams |32 are a pair of I-beams |39 and |40 which are disposed at right angles to the parallel sheaves previously describedand in parallelism with the water table beams of the ,derrick |21-|21, beam |40 being supported by and secured to block means on the tops of the inner journals for the parallel sheaves |40,` |49, |54 and |53, while'the beam member |39 is disposeddirectly on and secured to the beamA |32. Rotatably carried by and disposed between these two I-beams |39 and |40 is of the sheave |6| to meet different conditions of vreeving, different sets of apertures for the reception of the bolts |59a and |60a are formed through'the flanges of the beams |60`and |32- |32. In Figures-8 and 9 the bolts |59a and'l60a are shown applied to secure the beams |59 and |60 in one position of adjustment, while in Figure 9 is shownl part of an alternate set of apertures |62 which are provided for the reception of the bolts |59aand |600. to secure the beams |59 and |60 in another position of vadjustment. The. remainder of the alternate set of apertures |62 cannot -be seen in the drawings because they are hidden beneath the beams |59 and |60. It will be noted from Figure 9 that the crown block arrangement of the modification is very similar t that shown in Figure 6. The principal difference between the modiiied form of crown block |24. and 'the preferred crown block 24 is that the cross-over sheaves extend above the parallel sheaves in the modication instead of below the parallel sheaves, as shownin the preferred" form.- As previously pointed out,

the advantage of the preferred form is that it permits the use of larger cross-over sheaves. It will be evident, by comparing Figures 'l and 8 with 1 and 2, that the stringupY in both forms of the invention-is the same. Incidentally it will be noted that in each case I have illustrated a ten part or ply reeving inasmuch as this brings into play all of the multiple ply rope sheaves shown in the crown block and all of the sheaves of -the traveling block.

When a reeving is being employed which does `not require the use of the center sheave' 92 in the traveling block 26, the housingl 9| carrying this sheave may be readily detachedfrom Tthe member 8 4, as is evident from the disclosure in Figure 3. The connecting plates 99. not only serve to maintain 4the sheavel 92 in a proper' central position, butv also serve in the eventl that the line breaks on one ofthe traveling block sheaves to limit -the outward movement of the traveling block housing which is set free Aby the breaking of the wireline. Lastly, as previously pointed out, these brace plates 99 tend to cause one traveling block to be balanced against the other, thus operating to cause the traveling block to hang plumb with respect to the centerof Vthe well.

It is to'be understood that when an ordinal number is applied to any of the run-ning parts of the hoisting line, that the sequence of the reeving is counted from the end of the line which is not freed tol-effect changes in the number of line parts utilized. l

- From this description, it will be 'seen that I have provided a multiple ply hoisting tackle for a derrick and a method of reeving the same which has many important advantages.

Some of these advantages-have already been pointed out. For instance, one of these important advantages is the production of a multiple ply rope hoisting tackle wherein the traveling block will be properly centered and balanced by reev- ,ing the outer sheaves of the traveling block with four plies of the line rove in direct sequence from one of its ends, while as many more plies as desired may be rove through the sheaves of the tackle without destroying or disarranging this centered and balanced condition of the traveling block.

Another important advantage arises from the fact thatfexcessive side diversion is eliminated by my invention while, at' the same time, 'it is possible to use multiple rope hoisting sheave members in the crown block which are much larger than hitherto possible and, in fact, may

and otherwise lprolongs the life thereof. It likef wise decreases bearing troubl'es by reducing the speed of the sheave members.

Another important advantage of my invention arises from the fact that I am able to lead the ends of my hoisting rope to different sides of -thederrick, which is particularly necessary in combination rigs, ythis being accomplished-by the use of one or more crosswise sheave members in the crown block which are also an important element in the reeving of the rope' through the sheave members of the crown block in such a manner' as to produce a-.centeredand balanced traveling block and freedom from excessive side diversion.

' It will be understood that my invention is-applicable either to standard drilling rigs, rotary drilling outts or combination rigs. l Now I desire it understood that although I have illustrated Vand described in detail the preferredformsof my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited, but only in so far as`de fined-by the scope and spirit ofthe appended claims.'

-I claim as my invention: v,

1. In combination with a-hoisting line, a crown block structurehaving a plurality of rotatably mounted multiple ply rope hoisting sheave members and a traveling block structure embodying sheaves pivotally mounted so that they may swingsto maintain their grooves in parallelism with the plies of the hoisting line.

' 2. Incombination with a hoisting line, a crownblock. structure 'and a traveling block structure embodying sheaves pivotally mounted so .thatv they may swing to .maintain their' grooves in parallelism with the plies of the hoisting "line,

3. In combination with a hoisting line, a. crown bloclcstructure and a traveling block structure,

` thereto.

4. In combination with a hoisting line, a crown i block structure and a traveling block structure,

some of the sheaves of one of these structures being at right angles to some of the sheaves of the other structure and one of the said structures having sheaves pivotally mounted so that their diametrically opposed vertical grooved peripheral faces may swing into tangential relation to the sheaves lmounted at right angles wise -to slome of the sheaves of the other struc? ture and one of the said structures having sheaves pivotally mounted so that they may swing to maintain their grooves' in'parallelism withl the plies of the hoisting line.

6. In combination with a hoisting line, a crown block structure having a plurality of rotatably mounted multiple ply rope'hoisting sheave members and a traveling block structure, some of the sheaves of one of thesestructures being crosswise to some of the sheaves of the other structure and one of the said structures having sheaves pivotally mounted so that they may swing' into tangential relation to the sheaves mounted at right angles thereto.

7. The combination of a crown block having a plurality of rotatably mounted multiple ply rope hoisting sheave members and a traveling block having a plurality of hoisting sheaves, rove with a multiplicity of plies of a single rope-com prising.v a cross-wise multiple ply rope sheave member at an angle to that pair of sheaves of' block having a plurality. of rotatably mounted multiple ply rope hoisting sheave members and 'a traveling block having. a suiiicient number'of. sheaves to permit the reeving of fouror more plies of the hoisting line between said crown block andv said traveling block, the'first ve sheaves tol be rove embodying a sheave at an angle to certain of the hoisting sheaves.

9. In combination with a hoisting line, a crown block 'having a plurality of,.rotatably mounted multiple ply rope hoisting sheave members and a traveling block lhaving a sufiicient number of sheaves to permit the reeving of more than four plies of the hoisting-line between'said crown block andsaid traveling block, and means permitting the reevingof the rst four plies in such, lposition that allsubsequen't plies will be between the rst four plies rove and all plies will be sub'- stantially 'perpendicular to the axis of the sheaves.

, 10.. Incombination with a'A hoisting lin-e, a

"such position 'that all subsequent plies will be between a'pair ofthe rst lfour plies' rove.

11'. In avhoisting apparatus, the combination 7.5

. crown `block and a traveling block having a suflrlcient number of sheaves to v'permit of more Y aroeaess y 'with 'a crown block structure vhaving a plurality and one or more intermediate sheaves, all of said traveling block sheaves being; disposed so that diametrically opposite points on the grooved peripheries thereof are substantially coincident vrove four or more parts between the sheaves of with a certain two of the opposite upright sides' of the traveling block structure, a hoisting line the respective blocks, the crown block comprising initial sheave means disposed to receive an 'endA of said line and deliver a first running part to a first peripheral point on one of the outer sheaves of the traveling block structure on one of the said'certain sides thereof, sheave means lying in a vertical'plane substantially crosswise of the peripheral points of the traveling block sheaves which-are coincident with the other of the said certain sides of the traveling block structure to receive from a second peripheral point on the aforesaid outer sheave of the traveling block on the second named side thereof a second running part and deliver a third'running part to a first peripheral point on the other outer sheave and on the said second named side of the travel` ing block structure, and further sheave means in the crown block structure lying in vertical planes each of which is atan angle to the vertical plane in which the second named'sheave means therein lies and on the traveling block side of the I said second named sheave means to receive other running parts of' the hoisting line, including a fourth part from the aforesaid end which extends from a second peripheral point on the second said outer sheave of the traveling block and from the first said sideof the traveling block structure so as to permit the said traveling block tobe operatively'4 supported by two opposed loops the componentparts of which extend from yopposite sides` of the outer sheaves thereof and to permit other running parts of the line, additionally ofthe saidfour parts lrove in direct sequence from an end to form the two said loops, to be rove to intermediate sheave meansof'the 4 ltraveling block and to extend from peripheral points thereon substantially coincident with the aforesaid pair of opposite sides thereof with all parts of the line between the sheaves of the said blocks in substantial parallelism with the grooves of the sheaves-from which they extend and to also permit the ends which constitute the standing part andthe fall part of the line to be led fair off from over the initial sheave means in the crown block and from a sheave member of the last named. sheave means therein to winding drum means and anchor means below.

1 2. In a crown block for. use on. a derrick, a plurality -of spaced upright sheaves disposed on either side of a gap which extends asubstantlal distance centrally intermediate inner plane faces of the' component sheaves, with three or more points on their upright grooved faces substantially equidistant from a center point, a plurality of crossover sheaves having their axes positioned between vertical planes coincident with the sides of'said gap, each o'f said crossover sheaves being disposed atan angle to the first said sheaves, and a pluralityl of standard rig sheaves, with their plane faces positioned in substantial parallelism wltlrthe sides of said gap, with one. or more of s their inner upright grooved f aces adjacent to the longitudinal center of said gap,L and means 'for rotatablysupporting all of said sheaves.

13. In a crown block construction for oil derricks, the combination of a plurality of sheaves, means for rotatably supporting said sheaves comprising a lower section of the block mounted on a base, a supporting 'structure independently mounted on said base and extending above the horizontal plane of the said sheaves to supportbeams disposed transversely and astraddle of said lower section, and upper sheave means comprising sheaves journaled in spaced bearings secured tol said transverse beams directly above comprising a lower section of the block mounted on a base, a supporting structure independently mounted on said base and extending above the horizontal plane of the saidsh'eaves to support beams disposed transversely and astraddle of said lower section, and upper sheave means comprising sheaves journaled in spaced bearings secured .to said transverse beams directly above the first said sheaves, and sheaves disposed parallel to first said sheaves, at least one of the sheaves secured to said transverse beams being in a vertical plane directly above and .substantially perpendicular to the vertical planes of the firstv sheaves, the first named supporting means being adapted, to. be detached from said base so as to leave the secondnamed supporting means operatively intact. f

l5. In a crown block for use on a derrick, a plurality .of substantially parallel sheaves' disposed substantially parallel 'to the ladder and drawworks sides of the derrick, amounting for said sheaves for supporting them in spaced relationship, and a plurality of cross-over sheaves carried by said mounting having their axes disposed between said parallel sheaves including a sheave disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves and a sheave disposed atan angle to said other cross-over sheave.-sald crossover sheaves extending from the draw works'side of the derrick to the ladder side of the derrick.

16. In .a crown blockv for use on a derrck, a plurality of parallel sheaves disposed parallel to the ladder and draw works sides of the derrick, a cross-over sheave. disposed at an -angle to said parallel sheaves and extending-from the draw works side of the derrick to the ladder side, and an adjustable mounting for said, cross-over sheave for enabling said sheave to be adjusted to a, plurality of different positions whereby-the adjustable mounting for said cross-over sheave for enabling said sheave to be adjusted to a plu- 'rality of dierent positions whereby the angle lbetween it and the parallel sheaves may be varied. and a second cross-over sheave disposed at right angles to said parallel sheaves and disposed par- 11er to the bun whee1 and beam sides of the derrick. v

angle betweenI it andthe parallel sheaves 'may be 60 Ving of arelativelyA large diameter-1 '19.' In a4 crown fblock'for use on. a Aderrick, a 'plurality of spaced-parallel sheaves,a plurality of cross-over sheaves having their axes positioned between said parallel sheaves, each fo`f said crossover sheaves being disposed at an angle to said parallel sheaves, a plurality of standard rig sheaves positioned belowA said parallel sheaves, including' a drilling sheave and a sand sheave,

and an idler positioned adjacent said standard rig sheaveslfor cooperation with one of said parallel shea'ves.

20. In acrown block for use on a derrick, a plurality of sets of parallel sheaves, each set including'an outer sheave and an inner sheave, the inner sheaves beingof a smaller diameter than the outer sheaves, and across-over sheave positioned between said sets of parallel sheaves and disposed at an angle to said parallel sheaves.

21. In a crown block for use on a derrick, a plurality of sets of parallel sheaves, each set including an outer sheave an-d an inner sheave, the inner sheaves being of "a smaller diameter than the outer sheaves, a cross-over sheave having its axis positioned between said sets of parallel sheaves and disposed atan angle -to said parallel sheaves, and an adjustable mounting for said cross-over sheave for venabling the angle between said sheave and said parallel sheaves'- to be varied, said parallel sheaves being disposed substantially parallel to the ladder and ldra'iv works sides of the dern'ck and `said cross-overJ sheave extending from the ladder side of the derrick to the draw works side.

22. In a crown block for use on a derrick, a plurality of parallel sheaves, a shaft for each of said sheaves, said shafts being disposed in axial alignment, and a reinforcing tube for'coupling the inner ends of said shafts together, 'said tube extending between said parallel sheaves.

23, In a crown block for use on a derrick, a plurality of parallel sheaves, ashaft forl eachbf said sheaves, said shafts being' disposed in axial alignment, `a reinforcing tube for coupling the inner ends of said shafts together, said tube extending betweenl said parallel sheaves, and a cross-over sheave positioned below said tube and extending below said parallel sheaves, said crossover sheave being disposed .at an angle to said parallel sheaves and extending from the ladder'.

side of thederrick to the draw works side.

24. In a crown block` for use on a derrick, a plurality of parallel sheaves, a s'naft for each of said sheaves, said shafts being disposed in axial alignment, a reinforcing tubefor coupling the I inner ends of said shafts together, said tube extending betweeny said parallel sheaves, and a plurality of 'cross-over sheaves positioned -below said tubel `and between 'said parallel-sheaves,A

onejof said cross-over, 'sheaves being ,disposed paralleltofsaid tube and the other cross-over sheaves beingfdisposed at an angle to mentioned cross--nver sheave.`

25.- In a combination crown blockand travel? ,ingV blockstructure, a crown block including a plurality of spaced parallelf sheaves and a crossover sheave disposed atfan angle to said parallel' sheaves andfhavingf its axis disposed between -the traveling block by said plies.

said aforesaidg lparallelsheaves,r aitraveling,lbloeklincludigf bloclnfzy and. af, line` including? va pluralityi ofiplie -a-.:pl urality-1of sheaves disposed at: substantiallyf right E'angles to lthe parallelasheaves-in:.said-1` crown:

for. connecting the sheaves Ain said crowns block/2;-

to the sheavesin saidtravelingblock,each ply -v of-v said .line'rbeing disposed at right angles to'.

the axis of one of said crown -block vs he'zaves and.

at right angles to the axis of one of 4said traveling.

block sheaves..

block structure, a crown block including a plu- -said line being disposed parallel to the grooves of both a crownv block sheave and a-traveling block'sheave whereby the two points of tangency. of' said ply relative to 'said sheaves are connected by a straight line, said plies of -said line beingiso arranged as to denne an inverted frusta-pyramid.

27. In a combinedcrown block andtraveling block structureA a.A crown block including two spaced pairs 'of parallel sheaves, each pair including an outer'sheave of a larger diameter than the inner sheave, a,traveling block including a spaced pair of sheaves disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of said crown block, each pair including an outer sheave and an inner sheave, the outer' sheave being of a larger diameter than the inner sheave, and a line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves of one block to the sheaves of the other block, the outer sheaves of said crownblock being connected to the outer sheaves of said traveling block and the inner vsheaves of the crown block being ,connected to the. inner sheaves of 28. In a combined crown Ablock and traveling block structure for use on a derrick, a cownblock vincluding a plurality of spaced parallel sheaves disposed parallel to the ladder and forge sides of the derrick and a cross-over sheave positioned between and at an angle to said parallel sheaves extending from the draw works side to the ladder side of the derrick, a traveling block including a plurality of spaced sheaves disposed at substan-l tially right angles to the parallel 'sheaves of said crown block and a sheave positioned above and at an angle to said other sheaves of the traveling block, said spaced sheaves of the traveling block being disposed substantially parallelto the bull wheel and beam sides of the derrick,'and a line including a plurality of plies connecting. the

sheaves of one block to the sheaves 'of the other block, said line being adapted to be arranged so as to have four, six, eight' or -ten plies between said blocks. I 29. In a'combination crown blockandtravelf ing block structure for use on a derrick, a crown block including spaced parallel sheaves disposed parallel to the ladder and' draw works sides of the derrick, a cross-over sheave positloned'between and. at an angle .to .saldparallelsheavea saidd cross-over sheave extending from the ydraw works side to the ladder side of the derrick, a-

traveling block including a pluralltyof. spaced sheaves disposed substantially at right ,angles to thefparallelsheaves of said crown block, and a 10 26. Inra combined crownl block and travelingl line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves of one block to the'sheaves of the other block, each of said parallel sheaves of the crown block having its groove disposed parallel to a ply of the line', which ply is also parallel to the groove of a spaced sheave in the traveling block whereby the points of tangency of4 the ply with the associated sheaves are connected by a straightline.v

30. In a combination crown block and, travellng block ystructure for use on a derrick, a crown block including a plurality of spaced parallel sheaves disposed parallel to the ladder and draw works sides of the derrick, a cross-over sheave disposed between and at an angle to said parallel sheaves extending froml the draw works side to the ladder side of thederrick and an idler disposed below said parallel sheaves, a traveling block including a plurality of spaced sheaves disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of the crown block, and a line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves of one block to the sheaves of the other block, said idler engaging the fourth ply of said line to cause the plies to extend from the'traveling block inv a symmetric relation and to relieve the traveling block sheave associated with said ply from undue strains and pressure.

31.In a combination crown block and traveling block structure for use on a derrick, a crown block including a plurality of spaced parallel sheaves disposed parallel to the ladder and draw works sides of the derrick, a cross-over sheave disposed between-and at an angle to said parallel sheaves extending from the draw works side to theladder side of the derrick and an idler disposed below said parallel sheaves, la traveling block including a plurality of spaced sheaves disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of the crown block, and a line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves o f one block to the sheaves of the other block, said idler engaging the fourth ply of said line to cause the plies to extend from the traveling block in a symmetric relation and to relieve the traveling block sheave associated with said ply from undue strains and pressure, said spaced sheaves of the traveling block being pivotally mounted whereby they are enabled to automatically adjust themselves to the direction of the plies so as to have their grooves disposed parallel to the respective plies extending from the traveling block.

32. In a combination-crown block and traveling block structure for use on a derrick, a crown block including a plurality of spaced parallel sheaves and across-over sheave positioned between and at an .angle to said parallel sheaves, a traveling block including a`plurality of sheave supports, means for pivotally connecting the low- -er ends of said supports together whereby the upper ends of said supports are free to move to and from each other and aplurality of sheaves carried by said sections, said sheaves being vdisposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of said crown block and in planes which .converge downwardly, and a line including a yplurality of plies connecting the sheaves of one block to the sheaves of the other block.

33. In a combination crown block and traveling block structure for use on a derrick, a crown block 'including a plurality of spaced parallel sheaves Aand a cross-over sheave positioned between and at an angle to s'aid parallel sheaves, a traveling block including' a plurality of sheave supports, means for pivotally connecting the lower ends of said'spport's together whereby the upper ends of said supports are free to lmove to and from each other and a plurality of sheaves carried by said sections, Asaid sheaves being disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of said crown block an-d in planes which converge downwardly, and a line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves of one block 1 to the sheaves of the other block, each of said including a plurality of relatively movable sheave supports,'a plurality of spaced sheaves carried by said supports disposed at substantially right angles to the parallel sheaves of said crown block and a central sheave disposed between and connected to saidsheave supports, said central sheave being disposed at an angle to said spaced sheaves of the traveling block, and a line including a plurality of plies connecting the sheaves of o ne block to the sheaves of the other block.

35. In combination with a hoisting line, a crown block structure having a plurality of upright rotatable sheaves and comprising sheave means adapted to be disposed and rotate in a vertical plane obliquely angular to the vertical planes in which all of theother sheaves thereof lie, and a traveling block structure having a plurality of upright rotatable sheaves and comprising sheave means adapted to be disposed and rotate in a vertical plane obliquely angular to the vertical planes in which all of the other sheaves thereof 36. Ina hoisting apparatus of the character including a. crown block having a plurality of upright rotatable sheaves, a traveling block having a sufiicient number of sheaves to permit the reeving of four or more parts of a hoisting line, a hoisting line rove a multiplicity of parts between the sheaves of said blocks, a sheave in one of said blocks to be rove with said hoisting line secured in a vertical plane obliquely disposed to the vertical planes in which all other sheaves in the said Ablocks lie, means for rotatably supporting said obliquely disposed sheave, and means for rotatably supporting all of the other sheaves in said blocks.

37. A crown block including a lower section adapted to be mounted directly on the water table beams of an oil well derrick, and an upper section adapted to be mounted directly on the water table'beams of the derrick to extend transversely two sections to be mounted directly on 'said beams,

one section being astraddle of and extending directly over the other and being detachable i'rom the water table beams independently of the other, and sheaves carried by the sections, comprising sheaves of one section transversely disposed relative to the sheaves of the other section.

39. A'crown block adapted to be mounted on the horizontal head at the top of a derrick including two sections to be mounted directly on the head, .one section extending directly over the other and being detachable from theheadmaeother section. v t a.

` 40. A crown block adapted-to be mounted on sections, the sheaves'of one'seotion being transversely disposed relative toklthe sheavesfof the the horizontal head at the top of a derrick including two sections to be mounted directly on the head, one vSection :extending directly over the other and, being detachable vfrom the head inde- -pendently ofv the other, a sheave carried by the upper section, and" a, mounting for `the sheave whereby it is adjustable in opposite directions 5 horizontally. K

, HARRY T. NICHOLS. 

